Ad Astra Honors Revealed at Day of Caring Breakfast
Congratulations to all of this year's nominees! Your time and talents are building a strong, healthy and equitable community.
Ad Astra Honors: Service to the Community--Youth (21 and younger)
2021 honoree Bryce Liedtke presented the Youth Service to the Community Award to Kirstianna Guerrero. Guerrero is actively involved in Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy and the Youth Leadership Forum. She also founded an organization, Disabled & Proud Foundation of Kansas, that helps support the Disabled and Proud Parade, an event that helps everyone celebrate the beauty and diversity of our disabled community. She is the Kansas Miss Amazing and the National Miss Amazing Queen, which included more than 800 hours of volunteer service during her year of recognition.
Ad Astra Honors: Service to the Community--Professional (over 21)
2021 honoree Brenda Blackman presented the Service to the Community–Professional honor to Lauren Wolf. As a teen, Lauren volunteered her summers at camp programs and a local hospital. When she was only 17 years old, she was asked her to give a testimonial to a committee of Legislators in support of Senate Bill 426; this bill allowed high school students, ages 16 and older, to donate blood without parental authorization. She continues to serve multiple community organizations on a regular basis.
Ad Astra Honors: Marge Heeney Award (internal UWGT volunteers)
The final Ad Astra Honor, the Marge Heeney Award, went to long-time UWGT volunteer Jim Daniel, who spent more than a decade helping guide community investments and making the transition to impact work. His nominator, and 2020 honoree, Marlou Wegener accepted the award on Daniel’s behalf as he was unable to attend.